Anxiety in the Heart of Man Causes Depression

Encouraging Words Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad. – Proverbs 12:25 With Jesus on our side, we really don’t even need to feel anxiety at all. If you fully trust in Him, your worries can go away. Still, many people have a hard time doing that, especially during difficult times in their lives. This verse encourages us to share good, positive, uplifting words with someone who is going through a period of anxiety or depression. Sometimes a little bit of encouragement is all someone needs to feel better about a situation or at least to know that (s)he isn’t alone. Be an uplifting, encouraging friend to those people who need a friend the most. And as a bonus, you will most likely come out with a blessing as well, because even when it comes to words and friendship, it truly is more blessed to give than to receive! You and Your Friends The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray. – Proverbs 12:26 Have you ever been led astray by a friend? I suspect most people have at one time or another. For whatever reason, whenever people get in groups (especially younger people), they tend to push each other to do things that they shouldn’t do. If you find yourself in a situation like that, don’t just give in and do what you’re being pressured to do! By doing that, you blend in with the world and you harm your own Christian witness. Instead, take a bold stand for Jesus and stand up for what’s right. It may not be easy and it may not be popular, but Jesus Himself didn’t take the easy road when He died on the cross for our sins. Considering all He did for you, can’t you take a stand for Him? Chances are, you’ll eventually have a positive impact on some of those around you as well. But even if you don’t, you will still be honoring God with your choices instead of doing something that you would probably later regret. Listening to Wise Instruction, Part 1 of 2 A wise son heeds his father's instruction, But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. – Proverbs 13:1 When I read this verse and then look at the present state of the world around me, so many things come to mind that I could write about. One thing deals with children, and those who no longer seem to pay much attention to the instruction of their parents, teachers, or other adults. Something has gone terribly wrong in our society since the 1950s and 1960s when school children were well-disciplined. But rather than dwell on what has gone wrong, what can we do to improve the situation? I think the most important thing is to be serious about discipline and don’t try to be your child’s friend. Disciplining a child means that you love that child, and I think that’s an idea that has been lost among many people. God disciplines us and lets us suffer sometimes out of His great love for us, because He knows the good that will ultimately come out of whatever the situation may be. Similarly, children need discipline in order to learn the difference between right and wrong. Listening to Wise Instruction, Part 2 of 2 A wise son heeds his father's instruction, But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. – Proverbs 13:1 Another idea that comes to mind from this verse deals not with children but with adults (which could very well be why we have such a problem with our children). An increasing number of adults in our society don’t like to be told when they are doing something wrong. They live for themselves and just want to do whatever “feels” right, regardless of how it impacts other people. What a horribly selfish way to live! This idea also pertains to religious beliefs. A lot of people want to formulate their own beliefs nowadays. For the record, I fully support their right to do that--no matter how wrong or self-centered it may be. But many of those same people are fighting to remove everything that is Christian from our culture. If they can believe whatever they want, why can’t we do the same thing? It’s hypocritical. Everyone, whether child or adult, needs to be wise and listen to advice, instruction, and rebuke from others. That’s one of the best ways to learn and to live in a manner that is much less self-centered. Guard Your Mouth He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction. – Proverbs 13:3 Do you like to talk? If you do, this verse cautions you to be very careful with the words that come out of it. Especially if you’re with a group of friends, you may find it easy to join the conversation by gossiping or making fun of others. But if you’re a Christian, you know that isn’t what Jesus wants you to do with your mouth. The mouth can be very powerful in both bad ways and good ways. It can be used to tear down others or build them up. Words can be very hurtful to others and they can harm your Christian witness as well. At the same time, though, positive and encouraging words may just make someone’s day a little brighter, and on occasion the impact can even be much greater than that. The next time you’re in a group of people who are gossiping, why not break the routine and say something positive about someone instead? Working Hard or Hardly Working? The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich. Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, But he who gathers by labor will increase. – Proverbs 13:4, 11 Quite a few verses throughout the book of Proverbs deal with the issue of laziness, and here are two such verses from the thirteenth chapter. Many people in the past had to work hard in order to survive, but many people in today’s technological society have grown lazy. That attitude is also rubbing off on many children who don’t seem to have much of a desire to work hard. But in spite of all of that, God’s Word never changes. In God’s view, hard work is the only right way to earn things in this life. Laziness won’t get you anywhere, and neither will wealth gained by dishonest means (unless it eventually gets you a trip to prison). The general lesson for most of us is this: Don’t try to take the easy way out. Hard work is rewarding and beneficial, and it is still the best way to earn a living. The Poor are Rich There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches. – Proverbs 13:7 This proverb is similar to several comments that Jesus made centuries later, and it contains the kind of unconventional wisdom that Jesus Himself often gives us. Those who become rich in this life have nothing of eternal value. But more than that, most of those people even feel like they’re lacking something in this life. I’ve heard stories over the years about many rich people who are among the most unhappy people in all the world. All their stuff certainly hasn’t helped to make them happy. I’ve also heard that recent statistics place the United States among the most depressed countries in the world, much more so than many third-world nations. People in those third-world countries may not have much in this life, but those who have a personal relationship with Jesus are rich in spirit. That should be the primary goal for all of us. The Impacts of Pride By pride comes nothing but strife, But with the well-advised is wisdom. – Proverbs 13:10 The word “pride” is used here to describe people who don’t glorify God but try to glorify themselves instead. Pride can be extremely dangerous and cause all sorts of problems because it is often rooted in extreme self-centeredness. With excessive pride, you become so concerned about what others think of you and about your own accomplishments that there’s no room left to give any glory to God. Other people’s opinions of you become so important that you have to take that glory all for yourself. As the proverb says, that ultimately leads to strife and conflict with those around you. But there is a better way. Don’t think so much about yourself and focus on God instead, giving Him the honor and the glory for the things that happen in your life. Having that kind of perspective is not only beneficial for you but also for your relationships with those around you. God’s Commandments He who despises the word will be destroyed, But he who fears the commandment will be rewarded. – Proverbs 13:13 This proverb reminds me of something that has been in the news lately about removing the Ten Commandments from schools in Giles County. I will never understand why people who don’t even believe that the commandments are true are so greatly disturbed by their mere presence that they would go as far as to sue the school system in order to get them taken down. In any case, this proverb makes it clear what will happen to those people who do despise the Word of God. They may cause trouble here on earth, but they will be destroyed by eternal condemnation. I take no pleasure in that and wish everyone would open their minds to the truth so we could all be saved by Jesus. But, I am thankful that we serve a fair and just God who punishes sinners and rewards those who repent and accept Jesus’ gift. Those of us who fear and respect God’s commands will be rewarded eternally. Isn’t that enough of a reward for us to want to do as God commands? Question to Ponder: Do you fear (respect) God enough to follow His commandments regularly in your everyday life? The Law The law of the wise is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death. – Proverbs 13:14 Laws exist for a reason--to help us know what is right and what is wrong. We can apply laws from the Old Testament in a similar way because, although Jesus came to wash away our sins and set up the New Covenant, those laws from the Old Covenant still serve a purpose by helping us see what we should and should not do. Some people make the claim that, once you become a Christian, you can do whatever you want because all your sins are forgiven. While that may technically be true, I have strong disagreements with that line of thinking. First of all, if you have truly been saved and changed by Jesus, then you shouldn’t want to keep living a sinful lifestyle. Secondly, living that kind of lifestyle is a terrible witness to others and tells the world that Christians aren’t any different from anyone else. Do you really want to harm everyone’s Christian witness in such a way? Finally, the law still exists to help us see that we can’t live perfect lives and that we are sinners in need of a Savior. Question to Ponder: Is following God’s law in your life important to you? Knowledge and Understanding Good understanding gains favor, But the way of the unfaithful is hard. Every prudent man acts with knowledge, But a fool lays open his folly. – Proverbs 13:15-16 These two verses from Proverbs are pretty self-explanatory. Don’t follow the way of the fool or the unfaithful. Many non- Christians (and, unfortunately, even some Christians) often do things that they know they’ll regret, but they go ahead and do those things anyway. The way of the fool or the unfaithful is hard because such people have a tendency to make poor choices (as they aren’t being guided by the Holy Spirit), creating a multitude of problems for themselves. Instead, the proverbs advise us to act with knowledge and understanding. Use wisdom and understanding as you respond to different situations, trying to understand the person and the situation rather than just reacting before you think. If you use it regularly, good understanding may be among your most useful attributes, especially in how you deal with others. Question to Ponder: Do you show wise understanding to the people around you? Reacting to Rebuke Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, But he who regards a rebuke will be honored. – Proverbs 13:18 There are several proverbs which deal with the issue of accepting rebuke. Proverbs 13:1 is another, which I just wrote two devotionals about a couple of months ago. Clearly, the writer of the proverbs (through the hand of God) felt that it is an important subject. We have an epidemic in the world today of people who let themselves get all offended about something someone tells them when they should be listening to that advice instead. Many people just want to do their own thing and don’t want anyone telling them that something they’re doing may be wrong or sinful. It has long been my opinion that a friend isn’t really a true friend unless he or she tells you the truth. Someone who just goes along with you on everything you do, whether something is right or wrong, isn’t a true friend. We need to rebuke and correct one another--with lovingkindness, of course, but we need to do that in order to keep each other on the right path in this life. Question to Ponder: Are you completely honest with your friends, and do you allow them to be completely honest with you? Be Careful Who Your Friends Are He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed. Evil pursues sinners, But to the righteous, good shall be repaid. – Proverbs 13:20-21 As Christians, we need to be careful who our friends are and who we hang around with on a regular basis. This is especially true for a new believer who is trying to get on the right path in life. People who are living sinful lifestyles will most likely try to tempt you into doing things you shouldn’t be doing, and unless your walk with God is very strong and close, you very well may fall into those temptations. Instead of hanging around those people, find some good, Christian friends to spend time with. Now, this doesn’t mean that we should never talk to people who aren’t Christians. If we don’t do that, how are we going to share God’s Word with them? Instead, it means that it probably isn’t good for us to regularly spend a significant amount of time with such people because of the temptations that will almost certainly follow. To be wise, we must walk with wise people. Question to Ponder: If you’re just going to “hang out” or relax for a day, who would you most likely spend that day with? Parental Discipline from God’s Perspective, Part 1 of 3 He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly. – Proverbs 13:24 This is a controversial issue in our modern society, but regardless of how you feel about it or the opinions that other people have, it is a Biblical principle. It’s easy to see why. Since students stopped getting punished this way in schools and since it became less socially acceptable for parents to punish their children in this manner, kids’ behavior has steadily gotten worse. Today we find so many kids who don’t respect their parents, teachers, or any kind of authority, and while there have always been some kids like that, a much larger number of children used to fear their parents and teachers. Children must be punished when they do something wrong. If they aren’t, what reason do they have to not do the very same thing again? Question to Ponder: If you have children, do you discipline them from a Biblical perspective? Parental Discipline from God’s Perspective, Part 2 of 3 He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly. – Proverbs 13:24 God often allows us to suffer the consequences of our mistakes because that’s one of the best ways to learn. Does He do that out of anger, to get some sort of revenge? Of course not! He does that because He loves us, just like parents should discipline their children out of love. So many people get confused about that issue and can’t bring themselves to punish their children--but that isn’t true love. If God patched up all our mistakes and never let us suffer any of the consequences that we deserve, what would we learn? What incentive would we have to do any better? Just as God loves us, chastising us when He needs to, so should parents love their children. Question to Ponder: How might your life be different if God never allowed you to learn from your mistakes? Parental Discipline from God’s Perspective, Part 3 of 3 He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly. – Proverbs 13:24 This verse is often used in the debate over spanking children, but it really goes much deeper than that. It’s about loving children enough to discipline them when necessary. It won’t always be easy, but it is a necessary and vital part of your child’s learning experience as he or she grows up. Your child may think you’re mean, just like many people think God doesn’t care when something bad happens. But that couldn’t be farther from the truth, and as your child gets older, he or she will almost always realize the benefit to that discipline. It is true that some people take discipline too far, and that can do considerable harm as well. But don’t go too far in the other direction just because of that. What children need most is right in the middle--a good, responsible parent who provides appropriate discipline when it is needed. Question to Ponder: If you have children, do you love them deeply enough to discipline them when necessary? Honesty A faithful witness does not lie, But a false witness will utter lies. – Proverbs 14:5 This verse pretty much states the obvious, but I think its intention is to make you stop and analyze your level of honesty. Lying does not improve a situation. There may be a very small number of exceptions, such as when someone’s life is in danger or when you’re dealing with someone who has mental problems, and I’m not even sure if those qualify as exceptions to God. But in normal, everyday life, there is never an excuse for lying. Not only is it morally wrong and sinful, but things always end up worse in the end. You never have to lie. If you feel like you do, then that probably means you have already done something you shouldn’t have. (You can’t change that, but you can think twice before doing the same thing again.) The best way to live is to follow Jesus’ example, and then you won’t do things like that in the first place! And when you do make a mistake (because we all do), just be honest about it. Chances are, other people will respect your honesty, but even if they don’t, it’s still the right thing to do. Question to Ponder: How many times in an average day do you tell a lie (even a “little one”)? The Wise and the Foolish A scoffer seeks wisdom and does not find it, But knowledge is easy to him who understands. Go from the presence of a foolish man, When you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge. The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, But the folly of fools is deceit. Fools mock at sin, But among the upright there is favor. – Proverbs 14:6-9 Mocking Sin Fools mock at sin, But among the upright there is favor. – Proverbs 14:9 So many sinful actions are now being looked upon as being “cool” or acceptable in the eyes of our society today. Sexual sins are especially prevalent (perhaps because we see them all over the place on TV), but there are a number of other sins that fall into this category as well. Many people who agree with that line of thinking are eager to mock or ridicule those of us who firmly believe that there is something wrong with those actions. But, we can’t let that discourage us from standing up for what we know is right. As Christians, we have a responsibility to stand up for the truth. Sin is sin; it breaks God’s heart and any kind of regular, ongoing sin should have no place in our lives. We cannot give in to the world around us and act like sin is no big deal. If it’s a big deal to God, which it is, then it should be a big deal to us as well. Never make the mistake of taking sin too lightly, because I can assure you that God does not. Question to Ponder: Is sin a big deal to you? Our Economic Downfall The house of the wicked will be overthrown, But the tent of the upright will flourish. – Proverbs 14:11 I strongly believe that sin and living outside of God’s will are major factors when it comes to the economic problems we’re facing in this country. Sexual sin, adultery, and selfishness are the biggest contributors to the problem, in my opinion. In the past, when our economy was flourishing, most people still lived in a traditional family structure with a husband, wife, and children. In modern times, however, many families have been split apart by divorce, while others are made up of people who are living together with children but aren’t even married. I believe the turmoil of the traditional family unit is a key part in our poor economy, because there is so much instability within the home. In many cases, there are now two separate homes instead of one united home. It wouldn’t eliminate all our problems (I realize we did have the Great Depression back in the 1930s), but if more families would unite under God’s will and follow His plan with regard to marriage and children, I believe our economy would become much more stable. Question to Ponder: How big of a role do you think the breaking down of the family unit is playing in our economic downfall? Right to Man, Wrong to God There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. – Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25 I unintentionally discovered a couple of years ago that this verse is repeated twice within the book of Proverbs. There may be others that I’m not aware of, but to the best of my knowledge, this is the only such verse in the Bible that is perfectly repeated in this manner. To me, that says that God is trying to send us a very important message--and that just may be the most important message of all. Being a “good person” seems like the right way to live for many people, but the trouble is, we can never be good enough when compared with Jesus. That’s where those people go wrong. Living in that manner will lead you to death. There is only one way to eternal life, and that is through Salvation, which only comes through Jesus Christ. Don’t let the world deceive you. There is only one way. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him. Question to Ponder: What makes this verse so important to the Christian? Being Prudent The simple believes every word, But the prudent considers well his steps. The simple inherit folly, But the prudent are crowned with knowledge. – Proverbs 14:15, 18 Synonyms for “prudent” include careful, cautions, sensible, practical, and wise. The advice here is to be careful through life and to try to make wise decisions. While I believe a Christian should give others the benefit of the doubt, be careful not to believe everything that you hear. God wants us to be loving and compassionate toward others, but not naïve. Take time to carefully consider your next step before taking it. There are many simple-minded people all around us who frequently make poor decisions and who do not follow the advice given in these verses. But if you are prudent, trying to follow God’s path for your life, things are certain to turn out much better than if you act on your own fleshly impulses. Question to Ponder: Do you carefully consider God’s plan before making a major decision? Which One Describes You? A wise man fears and departs from evil, But a fool rages and is self-confident. A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, And a man of wicked intentions is hated. – Proverbs 14:16-17 These two verses give four descriptions of different types of people. Where would you classify yourself? Does foolish rage and a significant amount of self-confidence abound in you? Are you quick-tempered, allowing your anger to frequently get you into trouble? Do you have wicked intentions, acting sinfully and being absorbed with your own desires rather than the needs of others? Or are you wise, treating evil with a healthy fear and respect and trying to move as far away from it as you can? If the first line of this passage doesn’t describe you at this point in your life, you can pray and ask God to help you move more in that direction. Question to Ponder: Which one of these four lines most closely describes you? Let God Handle It The evil will bow before the good, And the wicked at the gates of the righteous. Do they not go astray who devise evil? But mercy and truth belong to those who devise good. – Proverbs 14:19, 22 Most (if not all) of us have been in situations in which someone has taken advantage of us in one way or another. Unfortunately, that’s just an element of the imperfect world in which we live. When something like that happens to you, do you have a strong desire to get revenge? Do you actually take steps toward that revenge? Or do you trust God to handle it for you? Jesus is our judge and He is completely just and fair. Trust Him to judge those people for what they have done to you and don’t try to take matters into your own hands. If you do, then you are devising evil, and as the second verse quoted above says, that will only serve to lead you astray. Don’t try to get even; instead, show forgiveness (which may not always be easy, but remember that you’ve been forgiven for plenty of sinful things as well) and trust God to handle those situations for you. Question to Ponder: Do you trust Jesus to be just and fair toward those who have wronged you? Rich and Poor Neighbors The poor man is hated even by his own neighbor, But the rich has many friends. He who despises his neighbor sins; But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he. – Proverbs 14:20-21 Who would you rather spend time with--a poor person or a rich person? The rich do tend to have many friends, often just because they are rich and because of the high status that comes along with that. But who did Jesus choose to spend time with when He was walking on this earth? Usually we find Him with sinners and with the poor, because He had compassion on them and also because He knew that they were the ones who most recognized their need for Him. In addition, it is often the case that those who are poor in material wealth are rich in spirit and in godly wisdom, and we are missing out on an opportunity to learn a lot from those people if we choose to avoid them. Follow Jesus’ example and reach out to the poor. You can bless them, and most likely, you will receive an even bigger blessing in return. Question to Ponder: Would you rather have dinner at the home of a rich person or a poor person? In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter leads only to poverty. The crown of the wise is their riches, But the foolishness of fools is folly. A true witness delivers souls, But a deceitful witness speaks lies. In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, And His children will have a place of refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death. – Proverbs 14:23-27 He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive exalts folly. A sound heart is life to the body, But envy is rottenness to the bones. He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy. The wicked is banished in his wickedness, But the righteous has a refuge in his death. Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding, But what is in the heart of fools is made known. Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people. – Proverbs 14:29-34 A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit. A fool despises his father's instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent. – Proverbs 15:1-5 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble. The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, But the heart of the fool does not do so. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But the prayer of the upright is His delight. The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But He loves him who follows righteousness. Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, And he who hates correction will die. – Proverbs 15:6-10 A scoffer does not love one who corrects him, Nor will he go to the wise. A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness. All the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast. Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, Than great treasure with trouble. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, Than a fatted calf with hatred. – Proverbs 15:12-17 The way of life winds upward for the wise, That he may turn away from hell below. The Lord will destroy the house of the proud, But He will establish the boundary of the widow. The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, But the words of the pure are pleasant. He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live. The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil. The Lord is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous. He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding. The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility. – Proverbs 15:24-29, 32-33 Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established. The Lord has made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom. Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished. In mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity; And by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil. When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Better is a little with righteousness, Than vast revenues without justice. A man's heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. – Proverbs 16:3-9 How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who keeps his way preserves his soul. Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud. He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he. The wise in heart will be called prudent, And sweetness of the lips increases learning. Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it. But the correction of fools is folly. – Proverbs 16:16-22 The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, And adds learning to his lips. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. The person who labors, labors for himself, For his hungry mouth drives him on. An ungodly man digs up evil, And it is on his lips like a burning fire. A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends. A violent man entices his neighbor, And leads him in a way that is not good. – Proverbs 16:23-29 He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends. Rebuke is more effective for a wise man Than a hundred blows on a fool. An evil man seeks only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him. Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, Rather than a fool in his folly. Whoever rewards evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house. The beginning of strife is like releasing water; Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts. He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord. – Proverbs 17:9-15 He who loves transgression loves strife, And he who exalts his gate seeks destruction. He who has a deceitful heart finds no good, And he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil. A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones. A wicked man accepts a bribe behind the back To pervert the ways of justice. Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth. He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive. – Proverbs 17:19-20, 22-24, 27-28 A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart. A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul. The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body. The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility. He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him. – Proverbs 18:2, 7-8, 10, 12-13 The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, But who can bear a broken spirit? The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the Lord. The poor man uses entreaties, But the rich answers roughly. A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. – Proverbs 18:14-15, 21-24 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge, And he sins who hastens with his feet. The foolishness of a man twists his way, And his heart frets against the Lord. A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who speaks lies will not escape. The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, And his glory is to overlook a transgression. Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, And an idle person will suffer hunger. He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, But he who is careless of his ways will die. He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, And He will pay back what he has given. – Proverbs 19:1-3, 5, 11, 15-17 A foolish son is the ruin of his father, And the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping. Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from the Lord. Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, But who can find a faithful man? The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him. Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman. Better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman. A continual dripping on a very rainy day And a contentious woman are alike; Whoever restrains her restrains the wind, And grasps oil with his right hand. – Proverbs 19:13-14; 20:6-7; 21:9, 19; 27:15-16 Listen to counsel and receive instruction, That you may be wise in your latter days. There are many plans in a man's heart, Nevertheless the Lord's counsel--that will stand. What is desired in a man is kindness, And a poor man is better than a liar. The fear of the Lord leads to life, And he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil. It is honorable for a man to stop striving, Since any fool can start a quarrel. Do not say, "I will recompense evil"; Wait for the Lord, and He will save you. Diverse weights are an abomination to the Lord, And dishonest scales are not good. A man's steps are of the Lord; How then can a man understand his own way? – Proverbs 19:20-23; 20:3, 22-24 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts. To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. A haughty look, a proud heart, And the plowing of the wicked are sin. The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty. Getting treasures by a lying tongue Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death. Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard. A gift in secret pacifies anger, And a bribe behind the back, strong wrath. It is a joy for the just to do justice, But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity. He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness and honor. Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles. – Proverbs 21:2-6, 13-15, 21, 23 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold. The rich and the poor have this in common, The Lord is the maker of them all. A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, But the simple pass on and are punished. By humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches and honor and life. Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; He who guards his soul will be far from them. Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. He who has a generous eye will be blessed, For he gives of his bread to the poor. The mouth of an immoral woman is a deep pit; He who is abhorred by the Lord will fall there. Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of correction will drive it far from him. – Proverbs 22:1-6, 9, 14-15 Do not withhold correction from a child, For if you beat him with a rod, he will not die. You shall beat him with a rod, And deliver his soul from hell. My son, if your heart is wise, My heart will rejoice--indeed, I myself; Yes, my inmost being will rejoice When your lips speak right things. Do not let your heart envy sinners, But be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day; For surely there is a hereafter, And your hope will not be cut off. For a harlot is a deep pit, And a seductress is a narrow well. She also lies in wait as for a victim, And increases the unfaithful among men. Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; – Proverbs 23:13-18, 27-28; 24:3 Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise. Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long at the wine, Those who go in search of mixed wine. Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it swirls around smoothly; At the last it bites like a serpent, And stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things, And your heart will utter perverse things. Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, Or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying: "They have struck me, but I was not hurt; They have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?" – Proverbs 20:1; 23:29-35 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; Lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him, And He turn away His wrath from him. Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the wicked; For there will be no prospect for the evil man; The lamp of the wicked will be put out. My son, fear the Lord and the king; Do not associate with those given to change; For their calamity will rise suddenly, And who knows the ruin those two can bring? He who gives a right answer kisses the lips. If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the Lord will reward you. The north wind brings forth rain, And a backbiting tongue an angry countenance. – Proverbs 24:17-22, 26; 25:21-23 A righteous man who falters before the wicked Is like a murky spring and a polluted well. It is not good to eat much honey; So to seek one's own glory is not glory. As snow in summer and rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool. Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. The lazy man says, "There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion is in the streets!" As a door turns on its hinges, So does the lazy man on his bed. The lazy man buries his hand in the bowl; It wearies him to bring it back to his mouth. The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can answer sensibly. He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own Is like one who takes a dog by the ears. – Proverbs 25:26-27; 26:1, 12-17 Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips. A stone is heavy and sand is weighty, But a fool's wrath is heavier than both of them. Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent, But who is able to stand before jealousy? Open rebuke is better Than love carefully concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. As in water face reflects face, So a man's heart reveals the man. Hell and Destruction are never full; So the eyes of man are never satisfied. The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, And a man is valued by what others say of him. For riches are not forever, Nor does a crown endure to all generations. – Proverbs 27:2-6, 17, 19-21, 24 Evil men do not understand justice, But those who seek the Lord understand all. Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich. Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, He himself will fall into his own pit; But the blameless will inherit good. The rich man is wise in his own eyes, But the poor who has understanding searches him out. He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. Happy is the man who is always reverent, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity. – Proverbs 28:5-6, 10-11, 13-14 A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished. To show partiality is not good, Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress. A man with an evil eye hastens after riches, And does not consider that poverty will come upon him. He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward Than he who flatters with the tongue. Whoever robs his father or his mother, And says, "It is no transgression," The same is companion to a destroyer. He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered. He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But whoever walks wisely will be delivered. He who gives to the poor will not lack, But he who hides his eyes will have many curses. – Proverbs 28:20-27 The rod and rebuke give wisdom, But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother. Correct your son, and he will give you rest; Yes, he will give delight to your soul. A man's pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor. The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe. Many seek the ruler's favor, But justice for man comes from the Lord. An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, And he who is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked. – Proverbs 29:15, 17, 23, 25-27 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil All the days of her life. Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her: "Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all." Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates. – Proverbs 31:10-12, 25-31